HOUSTON — The Coast Guard rescued eight people who were stranded due to bad weather at Mitchells Cut near Matagorda Bay, Sunday.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report from the Matagorda County Sheriff’s office at approximately 12:20 a.m., that four adults and six children had intentionally grounded their 16-foot aluminum flat bottom boat due to increasingly severe weather conditions in Mitchells Cut.

Coast Guard Air Station Houston launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and rescue crew at approximately 12:50 a.m. Once on scene, the rescue crew hoisted the six children and two adults. The rescue swimmer was left on scene so more survivors could fit in the helicopter.

The rescue crew transferred the family members to awaiting emergency medical services at a nearby Matagorda County boat ramp. The rescue crew returned to the scene and retrieved the rescue swimmer.

The remaining two adults opted to stay with their boat and ride out the storm.

“The weather was a constantly changing factor for this case,” said Lt. Michael Gibson, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot for Air Station Houston. “Winds were gusting up to 46 mph with lightning strikes that were constantly blowing out our night vision goggles. I can draw a direct line from this missions success to Coast Guard specific training and it’s real world application.”